THE Guyana Olympic Association (G.O.A.), on Saturday last, successfully hosted a Sports Medicine workshop with approximately seventy (70) participants.
The workshop was held at the Olympic House, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

It was chaired by Secretary-General, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, and was declared open by President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Mr. Godfrey Munroe.
In his opening remarks, Munroe outlined the intention of his Executive Committee to continue to explore new pathways to enhance athletes’ performance and strengthen the Olympic Association’s policies, vision and strategic plan to evaluate and pave the way forward.

Delivering Remarks was also Dr. Ariane Mangar, Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Health.
Mangar commended the tripartite collaboration among the Guyana Olympic Association, the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Physiotherapists Association.
Presenters included Ms. Vanessa Wickham, a Sports Physiotherapist attached to the National Sports Physiotherapy Department at the National Aquatic Centre who has been working with the G.O.A. with various travelling teams.

The topics included factors/steps to decrease the risk of injuries and the importance of recovery for the athlete.
Participants were treated to a surprise presentation by the renowned Dr. Akshai Mansingh, Dean of Sports Medicine at the University of West Indies, Mona Campus and the Chief Medical Officer for West Indies cricket and the Caribbean Premiere League.

His interactive presentation was well received by those present on the role of the Coach in the management of injuries.
At the end of the workshop, participants interacted over refreshments, networked and left understanding inter alia how sports injuries are managed, better able to identify factors which contribute to injuries, understanding steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing injuries, understanding how coaches can support athletes during pre-habilitation and rehabilitation.

This Workshop was the first of a series to be undertaken as the Guyana Olympic Association aims to empower its affiliate members through support for executives of National Federations, coaches and athletes.